BRITISH people will now be hit by a new tourist tax in Tenerife after locals demanded tourist access be frozen in mass anti-tourism protests.
The Canary Islands are now preparing to adopt measures to regulate the number of visitors and charge tourists a daily cost to visit the archipelago.
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This last proposal, known as the ecological tax, is part of the new tourism strategy for the island that the Government of the Canary Islands is drafting.
The island council has today confirmed that the new tax system will come into effect from January 1, 2025, as Tenmerife residents demand a cut from tourists.
The tax will apply to all famous natural sites that are protected, including the Teide volcano, villages such as Masca and several rural parks.
Authorities say the new position will help protect and control the island’s natural spaces.
And the revenue generated will be spent on maintaining and improving these spaces.
While the amount of money charged is yet to be confirmed, it is understandable that locals visiting these tourist spots will also have to pay the tax.
In recent months, an angry anti-tourist movement has been gaining momentum on the popular resort islands.
Politicians are under immense pressure after tens of thousands of angry residents took to the streets to protest against the country’s tourism industry.
Locals have been furious because they are “fed up” with “low quality” British tourists who only come for cheap beer, burgers and sunbathing.
The president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, previously warned that a daily cost for visitors could be on the table.
While it is not included in the current plans, Clavijo said the government is willing to consider suggestions of a charge of three euros per night.
And just a few days ago, Rosa Dávila, the first president of Tenerife, proposed a new tourism model that would charge visitors a fee to access natural spaces.
He also proposed measures to “modulate” the number of tourists arriving in Tenerife – and “study the impact of demographic growth.”
He said after the massive protests: “We must analyze the exceptionalities that can be applied in a territory as fragile and limited as ours. What is clear is that Tenerife cannot be a theme park.”
“Those who visit us have to value and respect our natural and cultural wealth, our resources, and they have to be clear about the rules for their preservation.
“In addition, there have to be limits to prevent tourism from overflowing.”
MORE PROTESTS
Residents of the Canary Islands appear to be at war with UK tourists as they attack visitors with anti-tourism graffiti and pop-up local campaigns.
Anti-tourist hordes filled a square in the capital brandishing banners, some of which read “You enjoy, we suffer” in English.
More than 15,000 people waved Canary Islands flags and honked horns to create deafening noise in the capital, Santa Cruz.
At the same time, protests also occurred on other popular Canary Islands, such as Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.
Banners at today’s mass protest read: “Where is the tourism money?” and “’Tourist moratorium now.”
The marches were organized under the slogan “The Canary Islands have a limit.”
Anti-tourist protesters want authorities to halt two projects, including one involving the construction of a five-star hotel on one of Tenerife’s last pristine beaches.
They are also seeking greater protection against mass tourism, to help with the local environment, traffic and housing problems.
Other demands include the protection of natural spaces, a tourist tax and better working conditions for hotel cleaners, who joined today’s protest in Santa Cruz and insisted to the local press: “We are not slaves.”
Organizers say the march had up to 50,000 participants.
Six more captains remain on hunger strike and public sit-ins continue to be organized to support them. daily mail reports.
Why do Tenerife residents confront the British?
RESIDENTS of the largest Canary Island appear to be at war with UK tourists as they attack visitors with anti-tourism graffiti and pop-up local campaigns.
Locals have been furious because they are “fed up” with “low quality” British tourists who only come for cheap beer, burgers and sunbathing.
Now they are demanding a tourist tax, fewer flights to the island and drastic measures against foreigners buying houses.
Some protesters claim their anger is directed at the government and not tourists as they call for change.
They claim that AirBnBs and other vacation rentals are driving up the cost of living and that they are fed up with the noise, traffic and trash that accompany the flood of tourists who visit them each year.
Jaime Coello, president of the Telesforo Bravo Foundation, stated: “The quality of the tourism product is being destroyed by investors and the regional government.”
Waves of anti-tourist graffiti have been painted across the island to tell Brits they are not welcome.
Bitter messages outside tourist spots read “your paradise, our misery” and “tourists go home.”
“Locals are forced to move and YOU are responsible for it,” one printed sign read furiously.
Another said: “Tourists are going home!”
The chaos brewing, along with hatred towards visitors, is now scaring British tourists away from going on holiday to Tenerife.
And Jorge Marichal, head of a hotel chain in Tenerife, revealed that Britons were calling for fear of not being safe while on holiday on the island.
He said: “One of the problems I’m facing is that customers are starting to call and ask what’s going on here and if it’s safe.”
While the hotel owner said he understands the pain of the local population, he added that being “anti-tourist” is not the way to do it.
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